Garden Q&A: Why has my clematis failed to bloom well?

Whether you're a gardening beginner or expert, Irish Examiner columnist Peter Dowdall has the answer to your questions

Clematis is one of the most popular garden plants. Known for its incredible flowers, clematis offers such a broad range of bloom colours (blue, purple, pink, red, white), shapes and seasons (spring, summer and fall). Picture: iStock

I have a large flowering clematis around a tree on the lawn. Last year I was gifted a profusion of blooms all around the plant. Alas, this year, no-show really. I was lucky if a dozen blooms have appeared. I pruned as early as last year and gave feed too. Maybe there's a knack to the way you tie in or train the branches/tendrils?

ANSWER